Preserving pumpkins and winter squash

[me&thegals]

I'll pass on something I learned from a friend last year. By treating winter squash with a mild bleach-water solution, you can make them last until spring!

Use only your best squash. No bruises, cuts, holes. Dip it into a huge bucket filled with a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Don't rinse. Simply let drip dry. Then, store in a cool, dark, dry place.

The bleach kills the micro-organisms on the outside of the squash that normally cause it to decay much more rapidly. I was pulling perfect squash from my cellar as late as March or April! This takes away the need to freeze, can or otherwise process them to preserve them.

 

[Beekissed]

How in the world did you find any perfect squash?

My perfect ones are always subject to idle teen hands.....air-soft pellet holes, machete chops, etc. Why must boys destroy things? Trolls! un


Good tip, BTW! I will try this if I can keep my teens from destroying my lovely veggies! Hmmmmmm....maybe an electric fence.... :/

 

[patandchickens]

My m-i-l does this with apples and I've seen it recommended for very green tomatoes you're going to try to keep as long as possible; never thought of doing it with storage squash though. Thanks!

Pat

 

[Zenbirder]

I'll give it a try, but almost every squash has healed over damage from hail

 

[me&thegals]

Boys!!! Can't tell you how many times I think "Where is your brain?!?" Asked my mom once when they outgrow obnoxiousness, and she pointed out the fact that my 2 grown brothers still are

Unfortunately, I had more succumb to squash borer than ever before, but there was such an enormous patch that many survived. Will the borers continue to get them--like should I pull the squash out ASAP? Or, is the damage likely already done?

 

[Beekissed]

You still have a garden??? My garden was gone long ago! Lucky you!

Can't tell you how many times I think "Where is your brain?!

Oh, kindred spirit! I use this one also: If you had two brain cells rubbing together in there, you would be dangerous!

 

[Homesteadmom]

Wonder if vinegar would do the same thing. I do not use bleach anymore(haven't for about 3 yrs now). But I will not ahve anything for another yr to try it on. Right now I have my peas & greenbeans getting started.

 

[heatherv]

My perfect ones are always subject to idle teen hands.....air-soft pellet holes, machete chops, etc. Why must boys destroy things? Trolls! un
/

LMBO! Were my kids over at your house visiting?